What it means: The Bears blew an opportunity to seize control of the NFC North with the loss to the Rams. Detroit fell 24-21 to Tampa Bay earlier on Sunday. So a Bears win would have given them sole possession of the division lead.

Run defense remains horrid: Before they started downing the ball at the end of the game to run down the clock, the Rams averaged 10 yards per attempt against a Bears run defense that came into Sunday’s contest ranked No. 31 in the NFL. By the time Benny Cunningham scored on a 9-yard run with 3:05 left to play, the Rams had already ripped the Bears for 261 yards on the ground. St.Louis finished with 259 yards.

Zac Stacy took the team’s first run 11 yards. Two plays later, Tavon Austincaught a pitch left, reversed field right, and picked up a block to go down the sideline 65 yards for a touchdown. The Rams gained 82 yards rushing on their first three plays from scrimmage, and set a franchise record by finishing the first quarter with 123 yards rushing (100 coming on Austin’s run, and a 35-yard gain by Stacy).

Austin, Stacy and Cunningham join Johnathan Dwyer, James Starks , Adrian Peterson , Reggie Bush , Ray Rice and Eddie Lacy as players to bust runs for gains of 25 yards or more this season against the Bears. Chicago has now given up eight runs for gains of 32 yards or more, including three runs of 40-plus yards.

Bass still opening eyes: Rookie David Bass was nominated last week for Rookie of the Week after making five tackles and tipping a Joe Flacco pass to himself for a 24-yard interception return for a touchdown. Bass followed that up with a sack against the Rams. He dropped Kellen Clemens for a 9-yard loss with 4:12 left in the first quarter.

Too much laundry: By halftime last week, the Bears had already topped their season high with six penalties for 61 yards. They finished with 13 penalties for 111 yards. Chicago obliterated that against the Rams -- not because of the number of penalties or yardage, but the impact of the penalties. Bears touchdowns by Devin Hester and Brandon Marshall were nullified by holding calls.

Missed opportunity: The Bears missed an opportunity to cut a 24-14 deficit in the third quarter when coach Marc Trestman attempted to convert a fourth-and-goal from the St. Louis 1. Trestman called for an off-tackle run by Michael Bush , but linebacker Jo-Lonn Dunbar dropped Bush for a 4-yard loss. St. Louis took advantage of Chicago’s setback and extended its lead on the next possession, going 73 yards in 11 plays with Greg Zuerlein nailing a 40-yard field goal to make the score 27-14.

Coming into the game, the Bears had converted 6 of 9 fourth downs.

What’s next: Another road trip awaits; this time, it comes Sunday against NFC North foe Minnesota. Given Chicago’s injury situation, look for the Bears to take the day off Monday before beginning preparations Wednesday for the matchup against the Vikings.

yeah, I said the same thing. The Lions keep trying to give it to us and we won't take it. 2 TD's nullified by penalties. Sorry, but as much as I like Trestman, these are on him and this is the second week in a row that penalties have been stupid high or cost us some momentum. I think that having those nullified just takes the wind out of your sales. Of course, not being able to stop anything resembling a run does not help either.

SuperFanDBS Writer

yeah, I said the same thing. The Lions keep trying to give it to us and we won't take it. 2 TD's nullified by penalties. Sorry, but as much as I like Trestman, these are on him and this is the second week in a row that penalties have been stupid high or cost us some momentum. I think that having those nullified just takes the wind out of your sales. Of course, not being able to stop anything resembling a run does not help either.

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I can't remember the last time we had the division basically gift-wrapped and handed to us to win. And here we can't take it, because we stink so bad on defense. This season should have been an absolute cake-walk to the division title due to Green Bay losing Rodgers, and Detroit now stumbling. And the Vikes are pathetic. Yet we are no better. Pretty tough year to accept.

SuperFan

I can't remember the last time we had the division basically gift-wrapped and handed to us to win. And here we can't take it, because we stink so bad on defense. This season should have been an absolute cake-walk to the division title due to Green Bay losing Rodgers, and Detroit now stumbling. And the Vikes are pathetic. Yet we are no better. Pretty tough year to accept.

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We would rule the division by now if we just had an average NFL defense. I think we could get to average defense next year if we replace safeties and upgrade the DL.

SuperFan

At this point, I'm not sure I would want the Bears to make the play-offs; the elimination would be humiliating and I just don't think I could handle all the sports talking heads laying on their verbal tripe about not being a functional team. Even though that's not the case. I like what Trestman has done for the offense. He just needs to get to the next level and show an interest in the defense. Be a complete Head Coach and not just 'leave it' to the coordinator.

That's what Lovie did with the offense.

And that may be what happens. I know he was hired to give the Bears a viable offense and that's been his focus. Solidifying the scheme and playbook probably remains his first priority. Nobody expected him to have the WHOLE team under wraps in just a couple seasons.

I can't remember the last time we had the division basically gift-wrapped and handed to us to win. And here we can't take it, because we stink so bad on defense. This season should have been an absolute cake-walk to the division title due to Green Bay losing Rodgers, and Detroit now stumbling. And the Vikes are pathetic. Yet we are no better. Pretty tough year to accept.

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Once again:
The Bears never miss an opportunity to miss an opportunity.

SuperFan

At this point, I'm not sure I would want the Bears to make the play-offs; the elimination would be humiliating and I just don't think I could handle all the sports talking heads laying on their verbal tripe about not being a functional team. Even though that's not the case. I like what Trestman has done for the offense. He just needs to get to the next level and show an interest in the defense. Be a complete Head Coach and not just 'leave it' to the coordinator.

That's what Lovie did with the offense.

And that may be what happens. I know he was hired to give the Bears a viable offense and that's been his focus. Solidifying the scheme and playbook probably remains his first priority. Nobody expected him to have the WHOLE team under wraps in just a couple seasons.

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Trestman would be a good offensive coordinator. In reality, I bet he spends 90% of his time planning the offense. I guess it's OK to trust the defense to Tucker, if they were getting the job done. Are you ready to see Tucker fired, or do you cut him slack because of all the injuries?

Trestman would be a good offensive coordinator. In reality, I bet he spends 90% of his time planning the offense. I guess it's OK to trust the defense to Tucker, if they were getting the job done. Are you ready to see Tucker fired, or do you cut him slack because of all the injuries?

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myself, I would like to see a real defensive guru. A top notch guy that can match wits with the best OC's and make meaningful adjustments on the fly. Someone that is capable of coming up with new defensive wrinkles. At his best, I do not think Tucker is that man. At his worst, he is a guy that is so inept that even keeping the same 6 year long defensive scheme he takes the D from top 5 to bottom 5.

At best he is going to be just ok. I am tired of mediocrity. I want to see the same immediate explosive improvement that Trestman brought to our O. I can see what a difference a top coach can make and I do not see it in Tucker. Even in a best case scenario.

SuperFan

myself, I would like to see a real defensive guru. A top notch guy that can match wits with the best OC's and make meaningful adjustments on the fly. Someone that is capable of coming up with new defensive wrinkles. At his best, I do not think Tucker is that man. At his worst, he is a guy that is so inept that even keeping the same 6 year long defensive scheme he takes the D from top 5 to bottom 5.

At best he is going to be just ok. I am tired of mediocrity. I want to see the same explosive improvement that Trestman brought to our O. I can see what a difference a top coach can make and I do not see it in Tucker. Even in a best case scenario.

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Let's see who gets fired end of season. I know Mike Singletary wants another HC job, but right now he's just a LB coach with Vikings. So, a DC job with the Bears would be a step up the ladder. He knows defense, and would be a hell of a leader and motivator.

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